Your Home Isn't Complete Without These Decorative Pieces

LULO’s Cheryl Teo creates magic by manipulating paper, and it’s unbelievably fascinating how she never seems to run out of ingenious ideas. Absolutely adorable, her paper products can easily liven up your home. Inspired to inspire, this super trooper puts her heart, soul, and travel experiences into the colourful craft she’s head over heels for. We sit down with the creative explorer and paper illustrator as she shares with us her journey sailing the ups and downs of business life.

Ahoy mate! Who is Cheryl Teo and what is LULO?

Cheryl Teo is someone who is still navigating her way through life with a good dose of curiosity and creativity. She believes in leaving one door open for the unknown and is learning to embrace the art of getting lost.

LULO is a dream of mine that took a little too long to happen. It’s an outlet where I can share a part of myself with everyone. The store is still very much an experiment and a work-in-progress. But you can always find fun, playful, and quirky handcrafted goods there!

What is it about playing with paper that captivates you?

Paper is simple yet so versatile, and you can manipulate it to become whatever your heart desires. I love how a flat object can give you form and structure through various folding techniques. The complexity of working with paper always gives rise to new challenges – and that keeps me drawn to the medium.

Your work has a uniquely playful spin to it. What made you decide on such a direction?

I have always enjoyed works that have a strong sense of play and whimsy to it, and my aesthetic is often illustrative and childlike. As a child, I often played pretend with my toys and was fond of giving names to inanimate objects. I guess that part of me still exists and it translates into most of the work I do today. Or perhaps, I’m just an adult that doesn’t want to grow up.

Also, how do you constantly garner inspiration for such out-of-the-box products?

Most of my creative triggers come from fictional books, staged photography, children’s illustrations, and stop motion animation. But, inspiration mostly strikes when I’m about to fall asleep. Truth be told, I’m terrible at falling asleep and my mind is constantly racing with thoughts. Sometimes I would wake up in the dark and fumble around for paper and pen to scribble my ideas down.

You practically run a one-man show designing, making, and photographing everything. What are some advantages or disadvantages of doing all this alone?

My store is barely a few months old, so I would say getting it off the ground proved to be a more challenging process than I had imagined. There were definitely struggles getting to this stage. Even though you have control of every aspect of your business, you have got to learn to trust your decisions, manage your expectations, and be responsible for your own deadlines. Working alone is a slow process, but it helps you understand yourself better. It’s also a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses; I’m learning something new each day as a result.

On average, how long does it take to complete one of your paper projects? Which part of the entire process is your favorite?

Around 5 to 10 hours across a few days, depending on how elaborate the piece is. The best part about working on any project is the moment the idea becomes a reality. I usually start doing rough sketches of what I want before I start crafting it out, and it’s exciting to watch the work evolve as you go along. At the end, taking in the completed product is always rewarding.

What’s your take on travel? Do you travel quite a bit?

I haven’t travelled the world, but it’s surely on my to-do list! I relish travelling as much as anyone else that I know, and there is always a great sense of thrill when venturing into uncharted territory.

When I do travel, I try not to be a tourist. I love exploring off the beaten paths and living it up like a local! I’m happy just doing everyday things.

Do you believe travel is essential to broaden minds and boost creativity? Why?

Definitely. Travelling leads to exploration, self-discovery, brand new experiences, and greater awareness of other cultures. But, travelling is still very much a luxury and privilege to many. I believe you can travel through books and films (or even in your own country), as long as you keep an open mind and heart. Learn to see with new eyes by getting out of your comfort zone and everyday routine. It will inspire you just as much.

Has there been any particular travel destination which has greatly inspired you?

Most travel destinations have left a mark in my heart in more ways than one. I guess if I had to pick a place, it would be Sweden. I went there for a student exchange programme in 2011, and it was my first time living abroad for an extended period of time. The adventure of being away from home and feeling an immense gratitude for my experiences in such a beautiful country was what made it so memorable.

Also, is there anything in particular you’d bring with you on trips so you can start working once inspiration hits?

I try to use travel time as a way to clear my head and simply immerse myself in a new culture. But, I always bring a journal along whenever I travel. I enjoy processing my thoughts at the end of the day and inking it down. I’m quite obsessed with collecting all kinds of random paraphernalia during my travels as well. It’s my way of collecting inspiration!

Where do you hope LULO will be months, or even years, from now?

I hope that LULO will be more than just a store. One of my dreams is to own a mobile art van, where I can move around nomadically and set up camp wherever I want. It would be a moving space for people to gather, connect, and create through art.

I would also love to collaborate with other inspiring creatives and makers to take my work to the next level. Hopefully I can work on handcrafted installations for editorial projects, publish a paper craft book, or even create an animation through tactile media in future!

As of now, I plan to create more works that will resonate with others and develop a stronger brand identity for the shop. I hope to continue pushing the envelope in what I do and perhaps spur others to create more with their hands.

To purchase Cheryl's paper products, visit her Etsy page here.

All images from @captain.lulo